Maybe you're looking to find some healthier meats to cook, or perhaps you've just gone over to the green side and are trying to get the protein and iron that have been lacking in your diet lately. Either way, there are always options for better health and well being, but just in case you're feeling a tad overwhelmed by the seemingly endless number of choices, here's a guide for choosing better meats and meat alternatives.

Healthiest Cuts of Meat

Poultry
The healthiest cut of chicken or turkey is by far the breast meat, whether it comes whole, sliced or filleted. This part of the bird contains the least fat and the most lean protein. When buying chicken or turkey breast, make sure to choose a lean cut, or remove the excess fat before cooking to avoid saturating the meat. Another good option is ground chicken or turkey, but make sure you pay close attention to the fat content; opt for lean or extra lean instead of medium.

Pork
Pork can be a tricky meat to find a healthy cut of, as pork meat is often surrounded by fat. The best choice for pork is a tenderloin; high in protein and iron content, the meat retains its tenderness without the need for gravy. Be sure to cut away any fat from the meat to increase its health value even more. If you're making a dish with a ground meat, ground pork is a healthy choice if extra lean is used.

Beef
The best choice for a healthy cut of beef is definitely an extra lean roast. This can come in cold lunchmeat form, which makes for a delicious and healthy sandwich, or as a hot, fresh-from-the-oven dinner. Aside from roast cuts, the best option for beef is top sirloin, a lean cut with a ton of protein and iron makes a healthy and tasty (though a bit pricey) meal. Ground beef is not as healthy as ground chicken, and generally has a much higher fat content, but if you have to eat it, be sure to choose extra lean.

Best Meat Alternatives

Tofu
Tofu is a meat substitute derived from soy bean curds. Pressed into a block, tofu has a consistency similar to soft cheese, allowing it to be easily cut or shaped before cooking. The great thing about tofu is that it can be used in a multitude of different ways: chunks can be put into soups or stews, crumbled tofu can be used for "meatloaf," mixed into seasonings it can be used to make a variety of dips and spreads, and the list goes on and on. Extreme versatility gives tofu its continued leg up in the race for favorite meat alternative.

TVP
Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP) is a meat substitute made from soy flour. It comes in a dehydrated form, so cooking with TVP involves the extra step of rehydrating, one of its biggest downfalls. Once cooked TVP has a consistency similar to ground beef or pork, so it works great for making meat-free burgers, loaves and sauces.

Tempeh
Tempeh, a meat substitute created from fermented soybeans, is less commonly used than tofu or TVP but is no less delicious or nutritious. Tempeh has a strong nutty flavor but easily absorbs flavors of other foods during the cooking process, making it an extremely versatile substitute. The consistency of tempeh is similar to nougat, but it can be cooked into textures ranging from sandwich meats to ground beef.

Seitan
Seitan is a meat alternative made from processing wheat gluten, and has a consistency close to many meats once cooked. This attribute makes seitan a popular choice for those who want a replacement for more traditionally meat-like dish, such as a chicken breast or a pork chop. It can be made from scratch at home, or bought pre-made at many health food stores.

For more information on healthy meats and how to cook them, visit goodhousekeeping.com

For more information on meat alternatives and their many uses, visit mayoclinic.com